The awards, run by the Surrey Advertiser and now in their seventh year, mark the success of companies and businesses, both large and small, that help give the county its reputation for being the engine room that drives the nation’s economy.

It is a way of saluting the spirit of entrepreneurship that is part of Surrey’s DNA.

In a crowded marketplace the awards help raise the profile of local success stories, of which we should be rightly proud.

Countrywide Telecoms was one of the winners last year, scooping the Creative Industries award.

PJ Farr, managing director of the Guildford firm, said the award has opened doors for the company "no end" and they would be entering again this time around.

Mr Farr said: “We have secured more contracts directly off the back of it, for example Land & Water, a major dredging company.

“It literally happened after we were approached after the ceremony.

"Regarding rural broadband, Land & Water said to us ‘we’d love you to come and do some work with us’, and it has snowballed.

“It has just raised our profile no end. Another result was me being nominated as Business Ambassador for Guildford Borough Council.”

Mr Farr was successful in achieving this title and he added: “Being involved with Toast of Surrey is such great exposure.

"Even if you don’t win, getting your company’s name in the paper is brilliant. It’s all raising your brand awareness.”

A number of sponsors are already on board for this year’s awards, and Godalming-based service provider ramsac is one of them.

Commercial director Dan May said: “We are big believers in the Toast of Surrey Awards.

“As a business we won an award for the Companies with a Turnover up to £5 million category in 2011 and we were finalists the following year in the apprenticeship scheme category.

“We got so much out of it and benefited so much as a business going through the process, gaining publicity.